LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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PN 4130 

T6 
1841 
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THE GRADUAL READER. 



FIRST STEP, 



OR 



EXERCISES IN ARTICULATION; 

DESIGNED TO DEVELOPE AND STRENGTHEN THE 

ORGANS OF SPEECH, 

AND TO FACILITATE THE CORRECT UTTERANCE OF THE 

ELEMENTARY SOUNDS AND THEIR COMBINATIONS. 

PUBLISHED WITHOUT THE 

READING LESSONS, AT THE REQUEST OF TEACHERS, FOR THE 
USE OF PUPILS IN THE HIGHER CLASSES. 



.« 



By DAVID Be TOWER, A.M. 
.- 

Principal of the Eliot Grammar School, Bost/n^Q 



BOSTON : 

CHARLES STIMPSON, JR. 

. 

1841. 






t 









Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1841, 

By David B. Tower, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 






Butts, Printer. 



• 



i 



PREFACE 



A just and distinct articulation is the first and most important requi- 
site of good reading or speaking. But, though the teacher can derive 
efficient aid in improving himself from the works of Rush, Barber, and 
Russel, this subject has been sadly neglected in the text-hooks prepared 
for the pupil. In later reading books, a few faults in pronunciation are 
pointed out, which really spring from habits of indistinct articulation ; 
and when the pupil is properly exercised in the elementary sounds and 
their combinations, those faults will disappear. But they can never be 
removed by lopping a branch here and there, and leaving the tree to 
take deeper root. Instead of hacking limbs continually, year after year, 
to little purpose, it would be wiser to extirpate the sapling, root and 
branch. 

All the elements of good reading cannot be taught at once ; and the 
secret of success in this, as in other branches, is to teach only one thing 
at a time. Correct articulation is the basis of this art, and we must 
look well to the foundation before we can safely rear the superstructure ; 
it is therefore necessary that, in the order of teaching, it should take pre- 
cedence of the other elements. The pupil should be accustomed to 
utter the Elementary Sounds and their Combinations, correctly and 
with vigor, while quite young ; because the organs of speech are then 
more flexible, and having fewer studies, he can better spare time to ex- 
ercise these organs. While yet ignorant of the philosophy of language, 
and of the branches that serve as collateral aids in acquiring a knowledge 
of it, he can attain a distinct articulation, though ill-prepared for the 
higher efforts of elocution, requisite to express properly the thoughts 
and emotions of the author. 

Portions of the ' Exercises in Articulation ' have been used during the 
last seven years, as far as they could be, orally and upon the blackboard, 
in the school under the author's charge. But the want of printed ex- 
ercises in the hands of the pupil, has been severely felt, especially by 
the teachers associated with him ; and they have been unable fully to 
carry out his plans. As no text-book of the kind has yet made its ap- 
pearance, the author has been induced to publish these ' Exercises,' at 
the suggestion of many friends of education, who have witnessed their 
results, and at the request of several brother teachers, who have felt the 
same want. 

Should the First Step answer its purpose of supplying a deficiency in 
our reading books, at some future day a Second Step will be prepared 
on the same principle, of teaching one thing at a time. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 



In using the ' Exercises' no regard should be paid to the meaning of 
the examples. Let the whole attention be given to articulating the 
Elementary Sounds and their Combinations distinctly and properly, and 
to pronouncing the words correctly, it cannot be too strongly impress- 
ed on the pupil, that he must attend to only one thing at a time, if he 
wishes to understand it. That the continual repetition of the same 
sound in different words, is by far the best way to make it familiar, 
must be obvious to every teacher. Besides, the pupil will thus incident- 
ally acquire a correct pronunciation of many difficult words. 

Those who have paid little attention to this subject, will hardly be ex- 
pected at first to take a deep interest in a work of this kind. But the in- 
dustrious teacher will fit himself for a faithful discharge of his duty, and 
if ignorant upon this subject, will rejoice at any aid in acquiring or im- 
parting a knowledge of it. Public opinion now demands that he should 
teach reading ; and if this work should assist him in so doing, its design 
will be accomplished. 

This edition of the ' Exercises,' has been published without the 
' Reading Lessons,' at the request of teachers, for the use of more ad- 
vanced pupils ; since too much importance cannot well be attached to 
the proper exercise and effectual training of the vocal and enunciative 
organs. 

' The vocal organs/ by which we produce voluntary and tunable 
sounds, are the larynx and glottis, assisted by the muscles of the chest. 
The enunciative organs, by which we add to the tunable impulses of 
the voice the specific modifications of literal and verbal utterance, are 
the tongue, the teeth, the lips, the uvala, and the palate. The air of 
the lungs, forcibly emitted through the throat, produces voice ; and this, 
modified by the enunciative organs, becomes speech. 

' Correct articulation, indeed, is the most important exercise of the 
voice and organs of speech, and of the most indispensable necessity ; 
because any imperfection in tbis respect obscures every other talent in 
a reader or speaker, while one, who is possessed only of a moderate 
voice, if he articulate correctly, will be well understood and heard with 
pleasure. According to Mr. Sheridan, a good articulation consists in 
giving every letter in a syllable its due proportion of sound, according 
to the most approved mode of pronouncing it; if this point be not ob- 
served, the articulation must be proportionally defective.' 

* See Thelwall, Woo<l,&c. 






EXERCISES 



ARTICULATION 



ELEMENTARY SOUNDS. 



[The following Exercises, designed to train the vocal and enuncia. 
live organs, should be practised till the pupil can utter the Element 
ary Sounds correctly. First, let him utter the w^tf which is e v™ for 
an example ; next, the clement italicised in that word ^ hen adter 
nately, the words, and the elementary sound of the italic leUers in 
the words, wheunot silent; and lastly, the sentences so *" th ref 
erence to correct articulation of the Elementary Sound.] 

Exercise 1. a, marked a or a. 
The letters in italics have the sound of a, as heard In 
« e age gave, fame name, gale, save, fate, mate, fate, 
2 " ld ' S . tra 'g bt .' P 1<Kn > sa « il - complaint, jail, rain 

Zrl' SWma j hmm ' mmeM ' W* sw «y> display stray 
decay, nay, day, array, play, May, £ ey> ** /' 

Sh ?' ey t-\ C0 " V ^ ance > fr e ight, y i„veigrf; LI' 

ZI ' , gn L S 'f Sh ' Skein ' he *' nous > n «ghbor, gauge 
gaol, gaoler, break, great, steak, ere. 

will ° State 'y her bearin f > s ° P»«d her array, the main she 

vtl traverse forever and aye The breaking waves dashed 

t, u f Ve t0 the S" le hls ^ow-white sail. Our age 

but a shade, our life a tale. Pfain sense but rarely leads 

us far astray. The earth is veiled in shades o/nioht 

1 hat name in vain stern reason would efface. 



10 ELEMENTARY SOUNDS 

Exercise 2. e, marked e or e. 

The letters in italics have the sound of e, as heard in me ? 
be, evil, era, epitome, tea, read, bereave, sea, appear, 
bead, streamer, peach, plead, neat, release, bohea, ei- 
ther, deceit, leisure, deceive, ceiling, receipt, seize, see, 
deer, bee, genteel, thee, eel, redeem, agree, three, be- 
tween, razee, jubilee, key, grief, priest, relieve, fiend, 
grievous, siege, field, piece, pier, cashier, pique, shire, 
marine, magazine, police, mandarin, ravine, people, 
quay, mien. 

Swift instinct leaps ; slow reason feebly climbs. Those 
cliffs shall be proud retreats for liberty. O see, what won- 
ders meet our eyes. They seem to be a peculiar people. 
There pleasing streams with crystal murmurs creep. The 
proud chief and his clansmen shriek over the bier. Oh, 
pale grew the cheek of that chieftain, I ween. From each 
terrestrial bondage set me free. O teach me to elude each 
latent snare. With equal eye my various lot receive. My 
grief, in its own loftiness, hath found relief. 

Exercise 3. i, marked i or i, and y, vowel. 

The letters in italics have the sound of i, as heard in time, 
mine, fine, pile, idle, repine, supine, benign, incline, 
sign, lie, pie, die, tied, piebald, vie, lyre, type, fly, an- 
odyne, deny, satisfy, rhyme, pyre, proselyte, rely, height, 
sleight, bwy, gwide, gwile, gwise, aisle, rye, dye. 

The primal duties shine aloft, like stars. Strike, for the 
sires, who left you free. The flying come in silence and 
in fear. The sounding aisles of the dim woods rang. His 
wild eye defiance flashed to earth and sky. From thicket to 
thicket the angler glides. Now stood Eliza on the wood- 
crowned height. For life, for life, their flight they ply. 
Bright as the light of a good man's smile. 

Exercise 4. o, marked 6 or o. 

The letters in italics have the sound of o, as in ode, no, 
over, roll, ore, whole, dome, cargo, console, zero, tyro, 



OF THE VOWELS. 11 

tone, floor, door, oak, road, cocoa, groan, coal, oar, loaf, 
coat, boat, board, toast, soap, approach, toe, foe, he- 
roes, aloes, throe, doe, hoe, four, soul, dough, moulder, 
though, resource, court, snoiv, below, window;, flown, 
own, sorrow, known, beaw, bureau, bateau, flambeau, 
portmanteau, shew, sew, yeoman. 

Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll. There is 
a rapture on the lonely shore. O ! holy star, low in the 
horizon seen. The freed sowl soars to its home on high. 
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea. It spoke of glo- 
ry to the inmost thought. 

Exercise 5. u, marked u or u, and w, vowel. 

The letters in italics have the sound of u, as in cube, tube, 
lute, time, reduce, refute, institute, superfine, sue, blue, 
glue, residue, value, pursue, hue, argue, suit, juice, pur- 
suit, sluice, new, pew, lewd, pewter, hewer, sinew, ew- 
er, view, adieu, interview, purlieu, neuter, feud, neutral, 
eulogy, euphony, beauty. 

The kindling azure is illumed with fluid gold. There 
is music in the deep blue sky. Adieu to thee, fair Rhine ! 
a vain adieu / And the earth is robed in a sombre hue. The 
cliff-yew is now their mourning plume. Thy hand imbues 
the clouds with all pure tints. And now below thy hues 
of beauty die. 

Exercise 6. a, marked a. 

The letters in italics have the sound of a, as in far, bar, 
alms, palm, calm, ah, father, half, bath, dart, yard, 
bard, psalm, aunt, laugh, daunt, launch, jaunt, gauntlet, 
heart, hearth, hearken, guard. 

Ye blighting whirlwinds 1 spare his balmy prime. The 
calm shade shall bring a kindred calm, and the sweet breeze 
shall waft a balm to thy sick heart. The forests vanished 
before its path. At intervals the voice of psalms is heard. 
The harp's silver tone on the far breeze is borne. Fair is 
that scene where palm and cypress wave. 



12 ELEMENTARY SOUNDS 

Exercise 7. a, marked a or a. 

The letters in italics have the sound of a, as in mat, at, 
and, cat, can, man, mammoth, lamp, plan, span, back, 
has, began, partial,* social, rhetorician. 

The good man has perpetual Sabbath. They were 
plaided, and plumed in their tartan array. Come ramble 
with me and thou pleasure shalt have. Their voice in 
battle shall be heard no more. Nor doth remain a shadow 
of man's ravage, save his own. 

JExercise 8. e, marked e or e. 

The letters in italics have the sound of e, as in met, let, 
end, elk, fell, well, generous, tent, dead, head, realm, heav- 
en, peasant, steady, endeavor, said, saith, again, main- 
tain, says, friend, heifer, leopard, guess, guest, any, 
many, bury. 

Chill penury repressed their noble rage. The long-re- 
membered beggar was his gwest. Many a sigh has swelled 
my aching breast. Still let my steady soul thy goodness 
see. Thence the bright spirit's eloquence hath fled. And 
soon from guest to guest the panic spread. 

Exercise 9. i, marked ! or i, and y, Vowel 

The letters in italics have the sound of i, as in pin, pit, it, 
in, intend, timid, did, rich, fountain, captain, mountain, 
forfeit, surfeit, biscuit, conduit, build, guilt, been, sieve, 
hypocrite, tymbal, typical, lyrical, mystery, marriage, car- 
riage, busy, business. 

From cliff to cliff, the smoking torrents shine. So 
flourishes and fades majestic man. The wildered fancy 
dreams of sporting fountains. I worshipped the Invisible 
alone. There is he lost amidst heaven's high mysteries. 
The sick earth groans with man's iniquities. Some kin- 
dred spirit shall inquire thy fate. Accept the vow and bid 
the suppliant live. 

* Explain how the letters c, s, t, &c. followed by the dipthongs ia, ie, 
&c. mutually affect each other. See Walker's Dictionary. 



OF THE VOWELS. 13 

Exercise 10. a, and o, marked a and 6 or a and 6. 

The letters in italics have the sound of a, as in ball or o in 
nor, all, fall, water, walk, warm, bald, talk, also, altar, 
orb, morn, scorn, horn, absorb, record, storm, forlorn, 
daub, fraud, author, autumn, caught, bauble, awl, law, 
awe, paw, hawthorn, straw, yawn, jaw, broad, groat, 
ought, thought, besought, fought, brought, nought. 

Lonely was the hall, the tapestry fled the wall. For- 
ward speeds the wild horse to thy falling waters. The 
warrior's form at dawn these walks has trod. Of all that 
is holy, holiest is the good man's pall. Peace smiles on all 
they fought for. I have looked over the hills of the stormy 
north. I know of a land where there falls no blight. 

Exercise 11. o, and u, marked 6 and u. 

The letters in italics have the sound of o, as in move and of 
u in rule, prove, lose, tomb, ado, who, improve, behove, 
true, rural, fool, bloom, ooze, noon, balloon, pool too, 
woo, boot, doom, soup, group, tour, surtout, uncouth, 
accoutre, shoe, canoe, bruise, fruit, 

The rule would prove him a consummate fool. I come 
to pluck your berries harsh and crude. Blows were our 
welcome, rude bruises our reward. Through the cool grove 
onward he moved. How gloomy and dim is the scowl of 
the heaven. Dreadful is their doom, whom doubt has driven 
to censure fate. 

Exercise 12. u and o, marked u and o. 

The letters in italics have the sound of u, as in bull, and o 
in wolf, full, push, pull, bush, cuckoo worsted, cushion, 
foot, good, wood, stood, woolen, would, could, should. 

Not for his delight the vernal cuckoo shouted. He 
stood behind a bush of elder. The foot of wolf could never 
thread this wood. Full many a flower is born to blush un- 
seen. For his own good alone, man should not toil. 

Exercise 13. o and a, marked 6 or 6, and a. 

The letters in italics have the sound of o, as in not, and a 
1* 



14 ELEMENTARY SOUNDS 

in wad, blot, stop, odd, observe, godly, nod, rod, softly, 
was, what, swan, walnut, wander, swap, squad, quality, 
quadruped, squander, laurel, cough, trough, 

The quality of mercy is not strained. It was not the 
sigh to fond remembrance given. Thou art gone, lone 
wandering, but not lost. He has gone where the eye can- 
not follow him. For, lo, what monsters in thy train appear ! 

Exercise 14. u i o, marked u or u, and o. 

The letters in italics have the sound of u, as in tub and o, 
as in come, up, run, cut, dull, uproar, such, muff, skull, 
nun, husk, undone, doth done, love, nothing, none, front, 
shove, son, blood, flood, touch, trouble, covetous, cour- 
age, pious, couplet, flourish, cousin, motion,* ration, fac- 
tious, does, vicious, ocean, bellows. 

The summer gay droops into pallid autumn. Even half 
a million gets him no other praise. The land they loved so 
well was bought with blood. Some fretful tempers wince 
at every touch. My soul submits to wear her wonted yoke. 
The world has much of strange and wonderful. Low in the 
dust the sons of glory sleep. 

Exercise 15. oi. oy. 

The letters in italics have the sound of oi, as in oil, soil, 
noise, point, avoid, boiler, exploit, voice, boy, joy, de- 
coy, employ, toy, annoy. 

No noise is heard around but thy majestic voice. The 
trembling deep recoils from zone to zone. As thy muse 
waved her joyous wing, the spoiler came. Ambition scofls 
at useful toil and homely joys. There are seats left void in 
your earthly homes. The spoilers had passed like the pois- 
on-wind's breath. It is the voice of joy that murmurs deep. 
And England's royal flower is broken by the blast. From 
a boy, I wantoned with thy breakers. 

Exercise 16. ou. ow. 

The letters in italics have the sound of ou } as in sound, 
pound, round, ounce, thou, out, loud, pout, sour, rout, 

* See note, p. 12. 



OP DIPTHONGS. 15 

cloud, our, owl, vow, growl, town, shower, allow, now, 
empower. 

Faith looks beyond life's narrow bound. I could ex- 
pound the melancholy tone. Thou didst wrap the clowd of 
infancy around me. The fierce wolf prowls around thee 
now. The fox-howl is heard on the fell afar. How bowed 
the woods beneath their sturdy stroke. Its altar is the 
stony mountain proud. Thy thunder's sound shakes the 
forum round and round. 



ELEMENTARY SOUNDS OF CONSONANTS. 

Exercise 17. b. 

The letters in italics have the sound of 6, as in babe, bulb, 
mob, bane, vob, abbot, bone, bib, sob, imoioe. 

Life may long be oorne, ere sorrow oreaks its chains. 
Where 6u6oles the fount over its pe&oly bed. The 6alm 
shall Meed and amoer flow for thee. The red bolt defying, 
right onward he oears. The outterfly is glancing oright 
across the sunoeam's track. Dark glens oeneath in shad- 
owy oeauty sleep. 

Exercise 18. d. 

The letters in italics have the sound of d, as in did, 
deep, door, dead, made, done, aid, indeed. 

So waves the night-shade round the skeptic's head. 
Come, mariner, down in the deep with me. Death deals 
with all of high or low degree. In madness men do 
the most fearful deeds. His days are spent in chaining 
down his heart. Deeds of darkness were done beneath the 
eye of day. 

Exercise, 19. g. 

The letters in italics have the sound of g, as in give, rag, 
gone, gog, gate, gig, log, gain, hag, hog. 

Life itself must go to him who gave it. Give thanks to 



16 ELEMENTARY SOUNDS 

God, from whom all good goes forth. Once again, thou 
minstrel harp, forgive my feeble sway % Here rest the great 
and good in lowly graves. Go, get thee gone, the world 
will hold us both. 

Exercise 20. h. 

The letters in italics have the sound of A, as in Aat, Aall, 
Aope, Aeavy, Aorse, home, Aead, Aelp, beAind. 

Teach me to fix my Aopes on Aigh. JZbw sad to Aear 
no voices through the Aouse. One morn I missed Aim on 
the accustomed Aill. JEZere Aave I fled the city's stifling 
Aeat. The Aeart of the sleeper beats Aigh in Ais breast. 
All eager, Ae Aastened the scene to beAold. I Aeard — and 
the moral came Aome to my Aeart. 

Exercise 21. I. 

The letters in italics have the sound of Z, as in aZZ, fine, 
Zet, aZe, ZiZZy, ZuZZ, Zive, ZoyaZ, Zute, Zone. 

The Zowing herd wind sZowZy o'er the Zea. His Zazy 
Zimbs in ZistZess Zanguor Zay. A stiZZ smaZZ voice rosesweet- 
Zy on the ear. Its lonely coZumns stand subZime. I Zove 
to Zinger the whoZe day Zong. Lonely and ZoveZy is the 
siZentgZen. 

Exercise 22. m. 

The letters in italics have the sound of m, as in wan, aim, 
mammon, fame, move, come, dim, met. 

With music I come from my balmy home. All men think 
all ?nen mortal, but themselves. Murmuring mellow notes 
are mine. .Man, the hermit, sighed, till woman smiled. 
The moss grows white on the maple's trunk. One minute 
of Heaven is worth them all. Fools ?nay admire, but men 
of sense approve. 

Exercise 23. n simple. 

The letters in italics have the sound of n, as in not, nine, 
never, sun, ran, rain, can, ninny, nun. 

JPain never wrung forth a deeper moan. Then mine 
alone be the winning tone. But crimson now her rivers 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 17 

ran with human blood. Holier far than even this, the 
boon must be. To err is human ; to forgive, divine. His 
name can rouse no feeling ?iow but scorn. 

Exercise 24. p. 

The letters in italics have the sound ofp, as in pen, pine, 
top, pull, rope, pop, pipe, apple, pap, hope. 

Wave your tops, ye pines, in praise and worship. 
They repose in pillared piles and pyramids. Peace ! 
child of passion, peace ! Pages stand mute by the can- 
opied pall. O ! point my path to everlasting peace. 

Exercise 25. r rough. 

The letters in italics have the sound of r, as in ripe, right, 
rub, rang, rush, rope, red, river, rural. 

The rocks are riven, and rifted oaks uptorn. jRough 
winter rudely rends the robes of autumn. Thunder, 
rattling, roaring, rolls the woods around. Full many a 
realm and region had they passed. We love thy rude and 
rocky shores. 

Exercise 26. r smooth. 

The letters in italics have the sound of r, as in car, star, 
mar, morn, far, warm, form, murmur, arm. 

The lark carols clear in yonder pure sphere. For 
morn is approaching your charms to restore. His cheek 
is impearled with a mother's warm tear. Hast thou 
a charm to stay the morning star in his steep course ? 
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn. 

Exercise 27. v. 

The letters in italics have the sound of v, as in vine, wow, 
live, save, vivid, vale, love, votive, prove. 

Wild winds and mad waves drive the vessel a wreck. 
In vain the viewless seraph lingered there. A vapor dull 
bedims the wave so beautiful. Fain are our vows — the 
lovely and the brave must fall. Fast the wave of life is 



18 ELEMENTARY SOUNDS 

ebbing from our veins. J^ine-clad vales are vocal with the 
vintage song. The living revel in thy light and love. 

Exercise 28. w consonant, like 6 shortened, and uttered 
abruptly. 

The letters in italics have the sound of w, as in wave 
wind, wood, wonder, aivay, will, wish, wo. 

It was the wisdom and the will of heaven. Soft winds 
went murmuring by, with low and pensive sound. All 
human weal and wo learn thou to make thine own. Then 
hast thou wished some woodman's cottage nigh. The 
wild and wanton winds there wail and weep. The western 
waves rolled on their way. What most we wish, with ease 
we fancy near. 

Exercise 29. y, consonant, like e, shortened, and uttered 
abruptly. 

The letters in italics have the sound of y, as heard in 
year, yearn, yarn, yet, yield, yore, yonder, your, young, 
yoke, yeoman. 

But yesterday, and Caesar might have stood against the 
world. But yonder comes the powerful king of day, re- 
joicing in the east. Ye sleep beneath a mountain pall. 
How dense and bright yon pearly clouds reposing lie. 
Then from glad youth to calm decline, my years would 
gently glide. 

Exercise 30. f 

The letters in italics have the sound of f, as in fine, if 
Mh /op, /all, off, ruff, safe, fife, roof, \augh, enough, 
rough, draugAt, pAantom, philosopher. 

Here fear and sorrow /an the /ire of joy. .Fond /ancy 
retraces the far-off past. Hal/ of li/e is /bolishly spent in 
/"it/ul dreams. EnougA, no pAantom mocks us, and no 
years distract. .For you no /ancy consecrates the scenes. 
Li/e's last rapture trium/yAs over her woes. O for the 
voice and fire of serapAim ! .From cl[/f to cYiff the foam- 
ing torrents shine. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 19 

Exercise 31. j, or g soft, sound of dzh. 

The letters in italics have the sound of j, as in jewel, just, 
jeer, jealous, jelly, judge, joint, ginger, general, giant, 
age, image, gentle, soldier,* grandeur, cordial. 

Eden's pure gems angelic legions keep. Now joyful 
he fancied he joined in the strain. Jewels more rich than 
night's regalia gem. The stars in their nocturnal vigils 
rest. Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot o'er the 
grave. No grandeur is above the reach of wo. 

Exercise 32. k. 

The letters in italics have the sound of k, as in fcite, ki\\, 
Zcept, Zcitten, kindred, call, calm, come, cabin, cook, cap, 
concur, conclude, action, cAord, cAoir, cAoral, cAronicle, 
blacAr, clocfc, quit, gueen, quote, quality, quiver, quick. 

.Keen was the air, but could not checfc his flight. Where 
the sicfcle cuts down the yellow corn. Public care full often 
tills a cold and barren soil. Many a sigh, called forth by 
thee, has swelled my acAing breast. Their eyes are cov- 
ered with thick mists. Thy disk can scarce be caught by 
philosophic eye. The calm shade shall bring a Zcindred 
calm. 

Exercise 33. s. 

The letters in italics have the sound of s, as in sun, sound, 
sister, save, bliss, miss, debase, chase, censure, cider, 
acid, cease, cistern, city. 

*Sb sweet her song, that sadness weeping smiled. No 
censer lights our altar now. *Sbul-incense in song from the 
lattice came. One cloud at a distance rose dense. The 
swan's sweetest song is the last he sings. iSbch sighs are 
incense from a heart sincere. 

Exercise 34. t. 

The letters in italics have the sound of t, as in rime, fell, 
tone, wen*, intent, tune, tide, motive, tint, contend, 
worked, rushed, helped, stopped, rocked. 

Trumpet and timbrel are now mute in the fen*. We 
fake no note of time, but from Us loss. Men must be 

* See note, p. 12. 



£0 ELEMENTARY SOUNDS 

taught as if you taught them not. It mounts to reach the 
State's parental ear. In solitude the ancient temples stood. 

Exercise 35. z. 

The letters in italics have the sound of z, as in zone., 
zinc, zenith, zealous, zion, rose, was, is, suffuse, resume, 
suffice, sacrifice, Xenophon. 

The zones obey thee, as thy billows rise. There is no 
breeze upon the lake. His are the tones that music loves 
to lisp. Keep Nature's temples free from sinful sacrifice. 
The waves bound beneath me as a steed that knows his 
rider. Such are the vows, the sacrifice I give. Wisdom 
mounts her zenith with the stars. 

Exercise 36. n, compound or ringing sound. 

The letters in italics have the sound of ng, as in song, 
think, bank, brink, drank, finger, languid, sanction. 

Time writes no wrinkles on thine azure brow. Clasp 
me a little longer on the brink of fate. It mingles with the 
dross of earth again. The clouds' gray cincture skirts the 
doubtful sun. He has left the warm precincts of the cheer- 
ful day. Adore, O man, the finger of thy God. 

Exercise 37. sh. 

The letters in italics have the sound of sh, as in pusA, 
sAow, sAun, sAame, sAeepish, lasA, wisA, sAine, sAone, so** 
cial,* gracious, musician, deficient, macAine, cAaise, pen- 
sion, version, transient, conscious, passion, parent, quo- 
dent, partial, morion, ocean, pshaw. 

Loud surges lasA the sounding sAore. Pshaw ! what a 
deal of needless ranging. Conscience makes cowards of 
us all. All crimes sAall cease, and ancient frauds sAall 
fail. Conscious Nature sAuddered at the cry. List to the 
sAout, the sAock, the crasA of steel. 

Exercise 38. th, (sharp.) 

The letters in italics have the sound of th, as in th'm, 
think, theme, thank, teeth, imth, breath, youth, fai^A. 

* See note, p. 12. 






OF THE CONSONANTS. 21 

Ye have looked on deaM since last we met. Time, the 
subtle th\et of youth, hath stolen my years. FaiM touches 
all Mings with the hues of heaven. A good deed done 
haM memory's blest perfume. In all you speak, let truM 
and candor shine. 

Exercise 39. th, (flat,) marked TH . 

The letters in italics have the sound of M, as in Mis, Man, 
Mou, Mough, bliMe, beneaM, Mus, Mine, faMom. 

He never gives a mite to soothe the wanderer's pains. 
TAen shalt Mou find Mat Mou wilt loaMe My life. There 
is solemn darkness beneath their boughs. She watched to 
breaMe a welcome to her child. 

Exercise 40. zh. 

The letters in italics have the sound of zh, as heard 
in glazier, azure, fusion, usual, evasion, measure, pre- 
cision, rouge. 

Their plumes now shine with azure and with gold. A 
vision of beauty appeared on the cloud. There the soft 
hand of winning pleasure leads. No rapture dawns, no 
treasure is revealed. 

Exercise 41. x, (sharp.) 

The letters in italics have the sound of the combination 
Jcs, as heard in maAres, tax, lax, expect, wax, luxury, six, 
exile, vex, excel, flax. 

Let luxury hence be far, and far be pride. It fans the 
smoking flax into a flame. When briars wound and thorns 
perplex my way. Changing empires wane and wax, are 
founded and decay. Silence, ye billows, — vex my soul no 
more. Soon the wronged exile shall be far away. Teach 
me to fix my dearest hopes on high. 

Exercise 42. x, ( flat.) 

The letters in italics have the sound of the combination gz, 
as heard in bags, exact, exist, exempt, exhale, exhaust, 
exhort, exalt. 

2 



22 ELEMENTARY SOUNDS 

This imperial realm exacts allegiance from her sons. 
This right is sacred as the right to ea?ist. From care ex- 
empt, in ease he passed his days. Let us e#ult in hope, 
that all shall yet be well. 

[The following Table is designed as a short review of the Elementary 
Sounds of the Consonants. First utter the Elementary Sound of 
the Short Vowel ; next the syllable produced by the combination of 
the vowel sound with that of the Consonant; and then the elementary 
sound of the Consonant alone, as indicated by the closing sound of the 
syllable. Proceed across the page.] 

Exercise 43. 

a, ah, b. e, eb, b. 1, lb, b. o, ob, b. u, ub, b. 

a, ad, d. e, ed, d. i, id, d. o, od, d. u, ud, d. 

a, af, f. e, ef, f. i, if, f. o, of. f. u, uf, f. 

a, ag, g. e, eg, g. i, ig, g. o, og, g. u, ug, g. 

a, ak, k. e, ek, k. i, ik, k. o, ok, k. u, uk, k. 

a, al, 1. e, el, 1. i, il, 1. o, ol, 1. u, ul, 1. 

a, am, m. e, em, m. i, im,m. o, ora, m. u, um, m. 

a, an, n. e, en, n. i, in, n. o, on, n. u, un, n. 

a. ap, p. e, ep, p. i, ip, p- o, op, p. u, up, p. 

a, ar, r. e, er, r. i, ir, r. o, or, r. u, ur, r. 

a, as, s. e, es, s. i, is, s. o, os, s. u, us, s. 

a, at, t. e, et, t. i, it, t. o, ot ? t. u, ut, t. 

a, av, v. e, ev, v. i, iv, v. o, ov, v. u, uv, v. 

a, az, z. e, ez, z. i, iz, z. o, oz, z, u, uz, z. 

a, ang, ng. 36 e, eng, ng. i, ing,ng. o, ong, ng. u, ung, ng. 

a, ash, sh. e, esh, sh. i, ish,sh. o, osh, sh. u, ush, sh. 

a, ath, th. 38 e, eth, th. i, ith, th. o, oth, th. u, uth, th. 

a, ath, th. 39 e, eth, th. i, ith, th. o, oth, th. u, uth, th. 

a, ax, x. 41 e, ex, x. i, ix, x. o, ox, x. u, ux, x. 

a, ax, x. 42 e, ex, x. i, ix, x. o, ox, x. u, ux, x. 

a, azh, zh. e, czh, zh. i, izh, zh. o, ozh, zh. u, uzh, zh. 

a, aj, j. 31 e, ej. j. i, ij. j. o, oj. j. u, uj, j. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 23 



COMBINATIONS OF THE CONSONANTS 

[The following Exercises in the Combinations of Consonants, designed 
to train the vocal and enunciative organs, should be used till the 
pupil can utter each combination distinctly, forcibly, and with ease, 
giving to eacfi element in the combination its due and appropriate 
sound. First utter the word containing the combination ; next, the 
combination by itself ; then, alternately the words and the combina- 
tion ; and finally, the sentences, solely with reference to distinct ar- 
ticulation of the combined Elementary Sounds, represented by italic 
letters, when those letters are not silent.] 

Exercise 44. bd, bdst* 

Prob'd, ebVd, xuWd, daub'd, imbib'd, sobb'd, nrob'dst. 

He gazed on hills vock-ribbed and ancient as the sun. 
Prejudices are often imbibed from custom. It has robbed 
of his banquet the roving bee. The glow has ebbed from 
his hollow cheek. White-ro6ed innocence from heaven de- 
scended. Then thou rwob'dst the wound which now has 
healed. Think how thou stzbb'dst him in the prime of youth. 

Exercise 45. bl. 

Blind, noble, blow, able, block, bubble, 6/emish. 

There is a world, where there falls no Wight. Why 
should gold man's feeble mind decoy ? The bub&/ing 
life-6/ood soon will flow. The chief, with blazing heath, 
6/ockades the path. How 6/essings brighten as they take 
their flight. Since thou art but of dust, be hum6Ze and be 
wise. 

Exercise 46. bid, bldst. 
UisabPd, doubl'd, humbl'd, hobbl'dst, trembl'dst. 
He forsakes earth's troubled waters for a purer spring. 
'Tis but the fabled landscape of a lay. The noisy geese 

* If the combination bdst, and two or three others, be found too diffi- 
cult at first, return to them again, after going through, and the organs of 
speech will be found stronger and more flexible from the continued use 
of the exercises. 



24 COMBINATIONS 

yet gabbled over the pool. Thus happy through life they 
hobbled along. Thou XrembVdst then, if never since that 
day. Thou humbVdst hosts on old Platea's day. 

Exercise 47. bh, bht. 

Baubles, troubles, nobles, pebbles, hobbles, XroubPst, 
humbl'st. 

The heart, benevolent and kind, the most resembles 
God. There the lark warbles his heaven-tuned lay. 
Thus bub6fes rise and vanish on the deep. At thy shadow 
thou trembVst, guilty man. Hence ! thou troubl'st me with 
vain requests. 

Exercise 48. br. 

Brave, brine, brow, imbrue, bright, bread, breeze, 
embroil. 

O soft are the breezes, that play round the tomb. What 
stronger 6reast-plate than a heart untainted ! The rilPs 
loud 6rawl is scarcely heard. Ocean's 6road breast was 
covered with his fleet. There spices breathe, and brighter 
seasons smile. 

Exercise 49. bz, bst. 

Webs, ribs, probes, robes, rob'st, prob'st, robb'st. 

There, in long robes, the royal priesthood stood. The 
throws of breaking hearts no drapery can conceal. They 
bowed like shrufo beneath the poison-blast. Then fear 
appalled the scattered tribes. Yet with no gentle hand 
thou prob'st their wounds. 

Exercise 50. dzh, dzhd. 

Ee/ge, ]odge, pledge, wedge, image, privilege, fiedg'd, 
nresag'd. 

A ridge of mingled spears is seen. O for a lodge in 
some vast wilderness ! Why judge you then so hardly of 
the dead ? An image of that calm life appears. Their 
winglets are ftedged in the sun's hot rays. A sound in 
air presaged approaching rain. Glory is justly imaged in 
the waterfall. 






OF THE CONSONANTS. 25 

Exercise 51. dl. 

Handle, ladle, candle, meddle, bundle, cradle, kindle. 

The brazen trumpets k'mdle rage no more. Alas ! it 
would not pay for candle-light. Why, since you are boot- 
ed, saddle it and ride. From man to man, like fire, the 
kind/ing impulse flew. I have been an outcast from my 
cradle. 

Exercise 52. did, didst. 

CradZ'd, padd/'d, wadd/'d, \adVd, brldVdst, fondVdst. 

Thy mind once kin died, with each passing thought. The 
bridled steed impatient pawed the earth. My days are 
dwindled to the shortest span. He was cradled beside 
the eagle's home. In boyhood's day thou trundl'dst the 
hoop. Stung by the viper thou {ondPdst when young. 

Exercise 53. dlz, dlst. 

Handles, ladles, candles, bundles, cradVst, kindest. 

The hind, scarce conscious why, handles his targe and 
bow. There the Indian padd/es his light canoe. Man 
seems the only growth that dwindles here. In very sooth, 
thou waddVst like a duck. In thy upward flight thou 
dwxndVst to a speck. 

Exercise 54. dn. 

Gold'n, lad'n, bidden, sadd'n, gladd'n, lead'n, old'n. 

Angels drop on their golden harps a pitying tear. There 
shall the coral redden, and the ruby glow. O leaden- 
hearted men, to be in love with death ! He has bidden 
adieu to his earthly friends. 

Exercise 55. dnz, dud. 

Gardens, gladd'ns, wardens, sadd'n'd, burd'n'd. 

It gladdens the blood in an old man's heart. Old cas- 
tles topple on their wardens' heads. Our hearts are eased 
of burdens hard to bear. They fly, or maddened by de- 
spair, fight but to die. They sparkle with glory in the 
gladdened sun. Death never saddened your scenes of bloom. 



26 COMBINATIONS 

Exercise 56. dr. 

Drop, dress, drip, drive, drover, dreadful, dream. 

On the ear drops the light drip of the suspended oar. 
True wit is nature, to advantage dressed. The dread beat 
of drum broke the dreamer's sleep. Fair visions of home 
cheered the desert so dreary. 

Exercise 57. dst. 

Didst, hadst, amidst, add'stf, bidd'stf, tread's^. 

They have gone down amidst the roar of the tempest. 
Thou bidd'stf the shades of darkness fly. Thou, from pri- 
meval nothingness, dids£ call first chaos, then existence. 
Hadst thou proved recreant, all had been lost. I am 
with you there, in the midst of your merry ring. 

Exercise 58. dtk, dths. 

Width, hundred^, breads, hundreds, breadtfAs. 

The width of the stream again dismayed him. For the 
hundreds time, he frowned and smiled. No monstrous 
height, or breads, or length appears. It took four 
bread^s of cloth to make the cloak. 

Exercise 59. dz. 

Buds, weeds, beds, odds, adze, lids, myriads, shades, 
deeds, abodes. 

No clouds shall on thy waters lie darkling. His deeds, 
his worthy deeds, have rendered him immortal. One fee- 
ble blast would fearful odds against thee cast. These 
shades are the abodes of undissembled gladness. 

Exercise 60. fi. 

Fhme,fly, tri/Ze, fleece, baj^e, flow, ri/Ze, jflight, jfloor. 

Lord Marmion's falcon ^ew with wavering ./fight. At 
every tri/Ze, scorn to take offence. Her flag streams wild- 
ly, and her /uttering sails pant to be on their ^ight. He 
looks on life but as a Meeting dream. 



OP THE CONSONANTS. 27 

Exercise 61. fld,fldst. 

Rifl'd, baffld, shufjVd, stiff d, muf/Z'rf, baf^Z' ds*, tri^drf. 

The war-drum is muffed, and black is the bier. The 
service was shuffled through coldly and unfeelingly. It 
has rifled the buds from the blooming tree. Now tell me 
how thou bafffdst thine enemy. 

Exercise 62. flh,flst. 

Rifles, trifles, baffles, ruffles, trifl si, rufffst, stvffst. 

Not to know some tribes, is a praise. It hushed the 
loud whirlwind, that ruffes the deep. He shuffles along 
with his slip-shod pace. Fear lends him wings, and he 
baffles pursuit. Thou tr'ffst with what is not thine own. 

Exercise 63. fn,fnd,fnz. 

Stiff' n, soffn, sofns, stiff' m, sof'rid, deaffn'd. 

Here shall the billows stiffen and have rest. The surly 
storms now soften into joy. Thus wit and judgment often 
are at strife. The woods are deafened with the roar. 
Teach me to breathe some softened strain. Truth softens 
the heart with its simple tones. 

Exercise 64. fr. 

Frame, y*nend, from, refresh, phrensy, phrenology. 

Ye dreadless flowers, that fringe the eternal frost ! Not 
in the phrensy of a dreamer's eye. An honest love is not 
afraid to frown. Angels from friendship gather half their 
joy. Labor is but refreshment yrom repose. 

Exercise 65. fs,fst. 

Whiffs, nuffs, fifes, laughs, nuff'st, laugh 1 st. 

Mortals, on life's later stage, still grasp at wealth. 
"Laughs the wide sea around her budding isles. Grief's 
dark cloud may over us roll. Forests are rent, and cliffs 
in ruins piled. Ha ! laugh'st thou, Lochiel, my vision to 
scorn ? Thou scoff 'st at virtue's homely joys. 



28 COMBINATIONS 

Exercise 66. ft,fth. 

Oft, soft, raft, waft, dojf'd, draught, laughed, fifth. 

Oft from apparent ill our blessings rise. There censers 
waft perfume, and soft lamps shed their rays. Where bil- 
lows rise and sink on the chafed ocean-side. The draught 
of pleasure still is dashed with wo. Justice shall lift aloft 
her even scale. 

Exercise 67. fts, ftst. 

Li/fo, rafts, tufts, -wafts, draughts, wa/?V, Yift'st. 

Prosperity ! I court thy gifts no more. They inhaled 
long draughts of its perfume. Death lifts the veil,, that 
hides a brighter sphere. To heaven thou lijfst the eye 
of faith. Over the wintry desert drear thou waft'st thy 
waste perfume. 

Exercise 68. gd, gdst. 

Begg'd, ngg'd, lagg'd, digg'd, dragged, bragg'dst. 

Homeward he slowly dragged his wasted limbs. He 
produced his play, and begged the knight's advice. The 
very elements are leagued with death. Yet still the creep- 
ing tortoise lagged behind. Thou begg'dst in vain the 
hermit's blessing then. 

Exercise 69. gL 

Gleam, glory, glove, g7itter, eagle, struggle, single. 

Pleased with his guests, the good man learned to glow. 
For some time the struggle was most amusing. Through 
gZades and glooms the ming/ing measures stole. From 
thicket to thicket the angler glides. 

Exercise 70. gld, gldst. 

StruggPd,\ haggled, mmgl'd, mangl'dst, mingVdst. 

The bells he ]mgled, and the whistle blew. I saw it 
in the wheel entangled. Torrents mingled their echoes 
with the eagle's cry. He gazed enraptured on the spangled 
canopy. How beautifully thou mingl'dst life and death. 



1 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 29 

Exercise 71. glz, gist. 

Eagles, juggles, spangles, jungles, struggVst, xmngl'st, 
mangl'st. 

I have roamed where the hill-foxes howl, and eagles cry. 
My struggles are vain. Egyptian priests ne'er owned 
their juggles. Spang-Zes, in the sunny rays, shine round 
the silver snow. Before thou m'mgl'st in the jostling 
crowd. Thou strugg/'s^, as life upon the issue hung. 

Exercise 72. gr. 

Green, grin, grow, grain, ground, grief, engrave. 

Grief makes the heart heavy and the eye-lids red. 
Grandeur, strength, and grace here speak of Deity. If 
they rule, it shall be over our ashes and graves. For 
tyranny of late has cunning grown. The groves of Eden 
yet look green in song. 

Exercise 73. gz, gst. 

Log's, fig's, dregs, rogues, leagues, begg'st, digg'sf. 

The fisherman drag's to the shore his laden nets. You 
have bartered life for bag's of gold. Plagwes and the grave 
o'ertake me, if I leave thee. Let these young rogues be- 
sent to bed. The school-boy lag's with satchel in his hand. 
Thou begg-'s^ in vain, no pity melts his heart. 

Exercise 74. Id. 

CTmg, wrinkle, cliff, circle, clover, chloride, knuckle. 

The sea-gems sparse in the depths below. His cheeks 
were red as ruddy clover. The sovereign sun in glory hath 
declined . Subject neither to ecZipse nor wane, duty exists. 
All feel the assaults of fortune's tickle gale. 

Exercise 75. kid, kldst. 
SoarkVd, wr'mkVd, circVd, ireckVd, huckVdst, tw'mkV dst. 
Grim visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front. I 
have no joy in my remembrance chronicled. The stars 



30 COMBINATIONS 

dim-twin7c/ed through his airy form. Oh holy star ! that 
tmnJcVdst on the shepherd's path. 

Exercise 76. klz t klst. 

Sparkles, circles, ryickles, uncles, sparkl'st, freckPst. 

It tramples down the sparkles of our ashes. Time writes 
no wrinkles on thine azure brow. The storm-bird wheels 
in circles round the mast. It leaves behind a wave that crin- 
Tcles bright. Thou sparfcZ' *st like a gem of the starry sky. 

Exercise 77. Ten. 

Tofc'n, blacfc'n, slacfc'n, deac'n, falc'n, wak'n shak'n. 

By the storms of circumstance unshaken, duty exists. Ye 
reckon it in days, since he strode up that foot-worn aisle. 
Forsaken stood the hall, worms eat the floors. Though 
clouds thicken round us, we heed not the storm. Sun- 
shine can yet waken a burst of delight. 

Exercise 78. lend, kndst. 

Heark'n'd, wak'n'd, quick'n'd, darkVd, black'n'c/s^, 
heark'n'dst. 

And darkened Jura answers through her misty shroud. 
He sickened on the waters day by day. With quickened 
step brown night retires. Ere the first wakened airs of 
earth had blown. Thou hearken' dst not when wisdom 
bade thee heed. 

Exercise 79. knz, knst. 

Tokens, deac'ns, falc'ns, thick'ns, bec¥n > st, wak'n's^. 

Now the wide prospect blackens on our view. The 
mountain's glowing brow betokens the sun's approach. 
Mist darkens the mountain, night darkens the .vale. Thou 
awaken'stf there a warmer sympathy. 

Exercise 80. kr. 
Kraken, crime, across, increase, creation, crown, crash. 
He swam with the stream, a histrionic kraken. Uneasy 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 31 

lies the head that wears a crown. Aim not to trace the se- 
crets of the skies. The hushed billows roll across his grave. 
There crystal streams with pleasing murmurs c?*eep. 

Exercise 81. ks. 

Oaks, sticks, lakes, relics, rocfcs, boa?, axe, si#. 

Sighs, and groans, and shriefo now rend the air. Age 
shakes Athena's tower, but spares gray Marathon. Ye 
mouldering relics of departed years ! Stones leaped to form, 
and rocArs began to rise. Virtue makes the bliss, wherever 
we dwell. 

Exercise 82. Jest, ksth. 

Shak'st, wak'st, vock'st, speafc'stf, next, mix'd, sixth. 

Seek'st thou the plashy brink of weedy lake ? Of 
differing themes the veering song was mixed. But the 
neo:* step is spirit — Deity. And many a holy text around 
she strews. Henry the sixth bids thee despair. 

Exercise 83. kt. 
Rock'd, xaWd, wak'd, Mk'd, sec*, prospect, subject 
He plucked no vernal blossom in the spring of youth. 
Each season looM delightful as it passed. Here Ceres' 
gifts in waving prospect stand. He waked at the vessel's 
sudden roll. I deny the competency of parliament to do this 
ac*. 

Exercise 84. kts, ktst. 

Acts, sects, direct, respect, object, respect, acfst, 
Yik'dst. 

It gilds all object, but it alters none. Thy lucid ray 
direct my thoughts to realms on high. At thirty, man 
suspect himself a fool. Thy rays give lustre to the in- 
sects wing. Thou acfst the fool as it were natural to 
thee. I heard thee say but now, " thou Yik'dst not that." 

Exercise 85. lb, Ibz, Id. 
'Bulb, hulhs, old, mild, cold, gild, field, child, fold. 



32 COMBINATIONS 

There too the Elbe, with gentle murmur, glides. The 
waters wild went over his child. He toiled and moiled, 
poor muck-worm ! Oft did the harvest to his sickle yield. 
Dun night has veiled the solemn view. Be as a child in 
meek simplicity. 

Exercise 86. Idz, Idst. 

Gilds, fields, folds, yields, wilds, hold'st, sbield'st. 

Apollo still thy long, long summer gilds. Now drowsy 
tinklings lull the distant folds. He listens to the sheep- 
fold's simple bell. JNot proud Olympus yields a nobler 
sight. Thou yieldht to fate without a murmur now. 

Exercise 87. If, Ifs. 

Self, wolf, pelf shelf, elf gulf, sylphs, elfs, gulfs. 

Remorseless is the guZ/'that yawns below. O how self- 
fettered is the grovelling soul ! Some guardian sylph pro- 
longs thy balmy rest. Though gulfs yawned under thee, 
1 would not leave thee. It is the vulture's abode, the 
wo//'s dreary cave. 

Exercise 88. Ift, Ifth, Idzh, Idzlid. 

Ingulf 'd, twelfth, bilge, induce, hilg'd, indulged. 

The lake is ingulfed amid sheltering hills. I, with them, 
the twelfth night kept the watch. Induce no useless wish, 
but be content. He induce? his wit and lost his friends. 

Exercise 89. Ik, Iks, Ikst, Ikt. 
F,lk, milk, hulk, elks, silks, miWst, milked, mulct, 
Crowned with her pail, the tripping milk-maid sings. 
They sink in sleep, and silk, and heaps of down. In vain 
ye ask for milk of roses and Olympian dew. At church in 
silks and satins new, we worship in these days. The kine 
were miWd and flocks were in the folds. 

Exercise 90. Im, Imd, Imz. Imst. 
E/w, film, whelm'd, films, realms, overwhelm'st. 



' 



OP THE CONSONANTS. * ' 33 

Yon village hangs its row of lofty elm trees. The hea- 
then heel her heZm has crushed. The steed was barbed 
and the warrior helmed. Films slow-gathering dim the 
sight. Ancient elms still shade their lowly graves. Thou 
overwhelm'st them with the whirlwind's sweep. 

Exercise 91. In, Ip, Ips, Ipst, Ipt, Iptst. 

StoZ'w swoln, puZ/?, wheZps, scalp'st, helped, help'dst. 

Even our (alien fortunes lay in light. When swoZn with 
hurricanes the billows rise. Feeble Caesars shrieked for heZ^? 
in vain. Within the sanctuary the she-wolf hid her whelps. 
The Alps have pinnacled in clouds their snowy scalps. 
Thou scalp' st thy victim while his pulse yet beats. I was 
the first that helped thee to the crown. Those crumbling 
piles thou help'dst to rear. 

Exercise 92. Is. 

False, dulse, puZse, else, impuZse, repuZse. 

Oft by faZse learning is good sense defaced. How 
wearily at times the puZse doth beat. Flse, whence this 
pleasing hope, this fond desire ? The crimson leaf of the 
duZse is seen to blush. 

Exercise 93. 1st. 

KuVst, fiZZ's^, calVst, ialVst, wheeVst, rolFst, convuZsW. 

Till here thou rul'st, or death and night end all. Thou 
fiZZ's* existence with Thyself alone. Thou marshaZZ'sf me 
the way that I was going. Thou caWst its children a hap- 
py band. Life flutters convuZs'd in his quivering limbs. 

Exercise 94. It, lih, Iths. 
Bo?£, wilt, guilt, wealth, filth, stealth, healths. 
The love he bore to learning was in fauZ^. Wisdom finds 
an equal portion deaZt to all mankind. Misery is wed to 
guilt. But health consists with temperance alone. Here 
shalt thou gaze on villages, and tiZ^A, and herds. In drink- 
ing healths, men but invite disease. 
3 



34 COMBINATIONS 

Exercise 95. Its, Itst. 

Faults, bolts, melts, assaults, halfst, melfst. 

The assaults of discontent and doubt repel. A friendly 
eye could never see such faults. Wealth melts like snow 
that is grasped in the hand. Meanwhile the clouds in airy 
tumufcs fly. Thou melfst with pity at another's woes. 

Exercise 96. Iv, Ivd. 

Twelve, valve, helve, solve, revolve, resolv'd, invoZv'tf. 

O fix thy firm resoZye, wisdom to wed. But come this 
way some tweZye-months hence. Now night's dim shades 
again involve the sky. No precious fate with mine in- 
volved, my heart is fearless. 

Exercise 97. Ivz, Ivsi. 

Wolves, elves, shelves, valves, dissolv'st, revolv'st. 

Who would be free, themseZues must strike the blow, 
Man resolves, and re-resoles, then dies the same. Where 
vultures and wolves are the graves of the slain. Thou 
solv'st the problem at the expense of life. 

Exercise 98. Iz. 

Toils, steals, calls, halls, moraZs, laureZs, embroiZs. 

Fools may admire, but men of sense approve. Man buys 
and sells, — he steaZs, he kiZZs for gold. Peace ruZes the 
day, when reason ruZes the mind. FooZs will rush in, where 
angeZs fear to tread. 

Exercise 99. md, mdst. 

Yamhl, seemed, bloowV, Wlum'd, doom'd, doom'dst. 

A garment of brightness illuwecZ its dark path. Let us 
keep the soul emhahned in living virtue. The rose seemed 
to weep for the buds it had left. Thou doom'dst thy vic- 
tims to untimely death. 

Exercise 100. mf, mfs, mft. 
Nymph, lymph, triumph, triumphs, nymphs, triumphed. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 35 

This hour to Europe's fate shall set the triu?np/*-seal. 
Thou art a nymph of mild, though mournful mien. What 
are man's triumphs, when they brightest seem ? Life's 
last rapture triumphed o'er her woes. 

Exercise 101. mp, mps, mpst. 

Pomp, lamp, lumps, lamps, swamps, thump's*. 

No death-angel's trump o'er the ocean was blown. 
Through camp and court he bore the trophies of a conqueror. 
And a plump little child for a pendulum swung. How 
poor the pomps of earth compared with heaven. Unflatter- 
ed by a glimpse of success, he still kept groping. Where wild 
Oswego spreads her swamps around. Thou damp's* their 
zeal already on the wane. 

Exercise 102. mz, mst. 

Gems, plums, blooms, comes, tombs, doom's*, seem's*. 

The air seems hallowed by the breath of other times. 
Life flutters convulsed in his quivering lim6s. For thou 
art freedom's now and fame's. I love thee, winter, all 
unlovely as thou seem's*. 

Exercise 103. mt, mts, mtst. 

Prompt, contempt, stamp'*/, cramp'd, attempts, prompts*. 

Be ever prompt to answer duty's call. The attempt, 
but not the deed, confounds us. He stamped, and fumed, 
and raved in vain. He tempts again the perilous deep at 
dawn. Thou prompt's* the warrior to his deeds of fame. 

Exercise 104. nd. 

End, \and, hand, bond, stand, mind, bound, bend, 
stunned. 

The wind is blowing off the shore. With heart and 
hand, I'll by thee stand. Peace hath her victories, no less 
renowned than those of war. Pine groves bend with soft 
and soul-like sound. 'Round broken columns clasping ivy 
twined. 



36 COMBINATIONS 

Exercise 105. ndz, ndst. 

Ends, lands, hands, bonds, minds, bend'st, send'st. 

Earth's distant ends thy glory shall behold. Lands in- 
tersected by a narrow frith abhor each other. The rivulet 
sends forth glad sounds. Rinds, with simple hands, shall 
dress thy rural tomb. Answer how thou found' st me. 
In a seven-fold twine thou bend'st thy arch. 

Exercise 106. ng. (36) Elementary, not a Combination. 

Song, long, ring, wing, bring, swing, wrong, singing. 

Its solemn tones are ringing in my ear. Ding-dong ! 
ding-dong ! merrily go the bells. While his parting hung 
rich o'er the world. Exulting, trembling, raging, fainting, 
possessed beyond the muse's painting. 

Exercise 107. ngd, ngdst. 
Wrong' d, throng' d, wing'd, hang'd, twang'd, wrong'dst. 

They thronged around her magic cell. The snowy- 
winged plover skims over the deep. The number may be 
hanged, but not be crowned. Oppression twanged her 
trumpet horn. Thou wrong' dst thyself to write in such a 
case. 

Exercise 108. ngz. 

Songs, fangs, rings, wings, wrongs, sings, throngs. 

They tear up the earth with their fangs. Throngs of 
insects in the glades try their thin wings. From labor 
health, from health contentment springs. Peace scatters 
blessings from her dewy wings. 

Exercise 109. ngst, ngth, ngths. 

Ring 1 st, wrongest, sing's/, cling' st, strength, lengths. 

Thine is a strain to read amongst the hills. Which, 
like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along. He was 
the proudest in his strength, the manliest of you all. 
Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 37 

Exercise 1 10. nglc, ngks, nglcst. 

Dnnk, rank, pran&s, lynx, ihankht, thing's*. 

The sharp thorn of sorrow sanfc deep in his heart. 
Fruits were his food, his drinfc the crystal well. In each 
low wind methlnks a spirit calls. Down bend the banks, 
the trees depending grow. O, deeper than thou th'mk'st, 
I have read thy heart. 

Exercise 111. ngkt, ngkts. 

Rank'd, thanWd, mnlc'd, Qarik'd, precinct, precincts. 

Linked to thy side, through every chance I go. God 
had been [hanked, and they began to eat. Till Death 
winked at our hero as he passed. He has left the warm 
precincfs of the cheerful day. 

Exercise 112. ndzh, ndzhd. 

Hinge, range, fringe, change, cringe, reveng'd, changed. 

Possessions vanish and opinions change. But with a 
frown, Revenge impatient rose. A fringe of thin foam 
their sepulchre binds. In all save form alone, how changed ! 
The pine is [ringed with a softer green. 

Exercise 113. ns. 

Te?ise, sense, dance, incense, science, defence, expanse. 

In search of wit, some lose all common sense. Fools 
give to chance the glory of God's work. Like cool incense 
comes the dewy air. The fire-flies glance through the 
myrtle boughs. 

Exercise 114. nst. 

Canst, against, own's£, m'mcV, crown's^, incens'rf. 

No more shall nation against nation rise. Give what 
thou canst, without thee we are poor. Fairest of stars ! 
thou crown's^ the smiling morn. At the intruding staff 
the adder lancee? her arrowy tongue. 
3 # 



38 COMBINATIONS 

Exercise 115. nsh, nsht. 

Bench, hunch, lYmch, quench, avalancAe, faunch'd, 
quench' d. 

Now launch the boat upon the wave. Where forms and 
falls the avalanche, — the thunder-bolt of snow. Quenched 
is the flame on Horeb's side. It was wrenched from his 
grasp in the deadly strife. He is launched on the wreck- 
covered river. 

Exercise 116. nt, nth, nths. 

l^ent, rant, aunt, tenth, month, labyrinth, tenths , 
months. 

A twilight gloom pervades the distant hills. He went to 
see how money might be made, not spent. Earthly pride 
is but the transient pageant of an hour. Few speak, wild 
stormy month, in praise of thee. A labyrinth of ruins, Bab- 
ylon spreads over the blasted plain. Here we may see the 
hyacin^A's neglected hue. It leads through labyrinths 
and wilds of error. 

Exercise 117. nts, ntst. 

Wants, haunts, aunts, tents, events, element, haunt'st, 
want'st. 

Coming events cast their shadows before. New por- 
tend now our foes amaze. Be wise as serpens and harm- 
less as doves. His ready smile a parent s warmth expressed. 
Why haul's* thou the land where thy kindred sleep ? 

Exercise 1 18. nz. 

Lens, means, clans, vanes, fins, gains, sins, glens, or- 
dains. 

The clans of Culloden are scattered in fight. Dark 
glens beneath in shadowy beauty sleep. But slow and 
steady wins the race. Blest are the feasts which simple 
plenty crowns. Of all that's holy, holiest is the good 
man's pall. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 39 

Exercise 119. pi. 

Plume, plaid, plod, phn, dimple, purple, people, rip- 
ple. 

Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil. There is 
no breeze upon the fern, no ripple on the lake. P/aid and 
plumage were tossed in air. It was a moment replete with 
joy. Thep/oughman homeward plods his weary way. 

Exercise 120. pld, pldst. 

DimpVd, trampVd, peopled, dappVd, purpVd, trampVdst. 

His dust lies trampled in the noiseless ground. Morn is 
gleaming in the dappled east. He treads the peopled ways 
of life again. Celestial odors breathe through purpled 
air. Thou trampVdst of old on the necks of the brave. 

Exercise 121. plz, plst. 

Temples, dimples, apples, ripples, scruples, trampPst. 

Old age has on their temples shed her silver frost. The 
dimples on the stream have circled out of sight. Thou rip- 
pVst the surface of the sleeping wave. Thou trampVst in 
scorn on the lowly flower. 

Exercise 122. pn, pnd, pnz. 

Deepen, rip'w, sharp'w, op'n, rip'n'd, deepVd, sharpens, 
op'ns. 

His ears are open to the softest cry. Like the meteor's 
flash, it will deepera the night. The ripened corn before his 
sickle fell. The ceaseless flow of feeling deepens still. 

Exercise 123. pr. 

Pride, praise, prime, prove, prune, imprint, impression. 

There endless pillows rise to prop the head. Thy voice 
sounds like a prophet's word. Prompt to relieve, the pris- 
oner sings his praise. Those best can bear reproof who 
merit _praise. 



40 COMBINATIONS 

Exercise 124. ps,pst. 
hips, stops, traps, ropes, drops, hopes, droqp'stf. 
No foliage drOo^s over the wood-path now. There were 
steps that flew over the cowslip's head. Fix thy hopes on 
the sure basis of eternity. Thought stops her bold career, 
and fancy droops. Thou, O sickness, wrapp'stf the world 
in clouds. Long years have elaps'd since 1 gazed on the 
scene. 

Exercise 125. pt. 

Wept, kept, slept, accept, trippW, dropp'd, precepf, 
rapt. 

The clouds be few, that intercejo^ the light of joy. Sar- 
matia fell, unwept, without a crime. They slepZ on the 
abyss where they dropped. The scampering hare out- 
stripped the wind. A school -boy would be whipped, who 
read so ill. 

Exercise 126. pis, ptst, pth, pths. 

Precepts, accepts, intercepts, accepts/, intercept's^, 
depth, depths. 

He accepts the friendship of the good and just. Just 
precepts are from great examples given. Kccepfst thou 
in kindness the proffered pledge ? Launch not beyond thy 
depth, but be discreet. From the depths of air comes a 
still voice. 

Exercise J 27. rb. 

Orb, garb, curb, superb, disturb, barb, verb, absorb. 

A keeper of the chase, thy garb bespeaks. Those su- 
perb abodes by giants seemed reared. Curb, O curb thy 
headlong speed. And yet thy full orb burns with flash un- 
quenched and bright. 

Exercise 128. rbd, rbclst. 
Curb\l, garVd, orb'd, barb'd, absorbed, distur^W. 
The lake is garbed in sunless majesty. He was totally 
absorbed in his studies. Nature has curbed proud man's 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 41 

pretending wit. No drums distur&ed his morning sleep. 
Then thou curb'dst thy mad career. 

Exercise 129. rbz, rbst. 

Orbs, garbs, bar6s, ver6s, disturb, curb'st, absorbs*. 

Not a breath disturbs the deep serene. Whence earth 
and those bright orbs ? are they eternal too ? The sim- 
pler comes for herbs of power on thy banks to look. Thou 
barb'st the dart, that rankles sore within. 

Exercise 130. rd. 

Bird, core?, absurd, word, herd, regard, reward, hard. 

Let your sword be bared alone at wisdom's call. Em- 
broidered sandals glittered as he trod. Disguise fair nature 
with hard-favored rage. Guard well thy sail from pas- 
sion's sudden blasts. 

^ Exercise 131. rdz, rdst. 

Birds, cords, words, herds, rewards, guards, regard's*. 

Their honorable name cowards have stained. Now sil- 
ver cords to earth have bound me. Hark ! hark ! how 
wildly the sea-birds cry. Guards / take Pythias away to 
execution. Thou reward's* the evil and the good. 

Exercise 132. rf rfs, rg, rgz. 

Turf, scarf, dwarf, wharf, surf serfs, dwarfs, ice- 
berg, icebergs. 

Every turf beneath their feet, shall be a soldier's sepul- 
chre. His pillow hath no cover but the surf When 
dwarfs and pigmies shall to giants grow. In polar seas, 
where iceberg's have their home. 

Exercise 133. rdzh, rdzhd. 

La?*g*e, urge, charge, verge, barge, scourg'd, urg'd, 
enlarg'd. 

Toward the verge sweeps the wide torrent. To the 



42 COMBINATIONS 

charge/ heaven's banner is o'er us. Softly tread the 
marge, lest from her midway perch thou scare the wren. 
Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot. 

Exercise 134. rJc, rks. 

"Dark, \ark, sparifc, worAr, lark, marArs, barArs, monarcAs, 

Rise with the hrJc, and with the larA; to bed. Mercy 

becomes a monarch better than his crown. He marks their 

track, and guides their fiery wheels. Celestial mercy lurArs 

below that pure serenity of brow. 

Exercise 135. rkst, rht f rktst. 

Work'st, mark'st, Xurk'd, embarA;' d, bark'dst. 

Mark'st thou, my son, yon woodsman gray ? So late 
work'st thou at iEtna's glowing forge ? For this he worked, 
for this forsook his bed. I marked it well, 'twas black as 
jet. Of yore lurk'dst thou in caverns of the deep. 

Exercise 136. rl 

Curl, pear?, snarZ, marZ, whirZ, girZ, furZ, hurZ. 

There is not a breath the blue wave to curZ. Terribly 
the hoarse and rapid whirZpools rage. There the pearZ-shells 
spangle the flinty snow. FurZ thy sail, the port is reached. 

Exercise 137. rid, rldst. 

World, curVd, whirZ'J, gnarZ'd, furVdst, hurVdst. 

A gilded insect to the worZeZyou seemed. Once round 
his head the war-cloud curled. From planet whirZecZ to 
planet more remote. The ensigns of union are in triumph 
unfurZeeZ. Thou hurVdst the spear that prostrate laid thy foe. 

Exercise 138. rldz, rlz, rlst. 

Worlds, pearls, curls, snarls, whirZs, curVst, turVst. 

What are ten thousand worlds, compared with God. 
They are glittering pearZs of the dewy night. The rising 
smoke curZs yellow in the sun. But oft in whirZs the mad 
tornado flies. Again thou unfurZ's* thy trembling wings. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 43 

Exercise 139. rm. 

Arm, warm, harm, form, charm, alarm, farm, storm. 

Thou art at rest, the storm shall vex no more. Soft 
showers distilled, and suns grew warm in vain. Hast thou a 
charm, to stay the morning star in his steep course ? Arm ! 
arm! it is — it is the cannon's opening roar! "Hold," 
says the dog, " we are safe from harm." 

Exercise 140. rmd, rmdst, 
Arm'd, harm'd warm'd form'd, hrni'dst, charm' dst. 
Meanwhile the southern sun had warmed the day. Arm- 
ed, say you ? Armed, my lord. The stork, alarmed at 
sight of man, affrighted fled. Who formed the paradise, he 
never asks. Thou arm'dst the hand that laid thee low. 

Exercise 141. rmz, rmst, rmth. 

Arms, warms, forms, storms, alarms, charm's^, warmth. 

In swams call down the warlike tenantry. These 
charms success in our bright region find. The surly storms 
are softened into joy. Not Titian's pencil could such forms 
display. Thou charm's^ the ear with thy soft melodies. 
With honest warmth he turns to bless his Maker. 

Exercise 142. rn. 

Morn, scorn, urn, burn, borne, torn, learn, return. 

Straight let us tu?-n our trumpets to the hills. Live, stung 
by the scorn of thy own bosom. The echoing horn no 
more shall rouse them. He listens to the call of incense- 
breathing morn. Whom it teaches, it makes prompt to learn. 

Exercise 148. rnd, rndst. 

Burn' d, scorn' d, learn'd, warn'd, discern'd, returnVs*. 

Inly I burned, but honor, pride forbade. Their bones 
lie whitening in the caverned deep. Warned by the signs, 
in haste they shelter seek. I have scorned, and still do 
scorn to hide my sense of wrong. It is well thou learn'dsf 
that lesson young. 



44 COMBINATIONS 

Exercise 144. mz, rnst. 

Morns, urns, horns, caverns, teams, turn's*, scorn's*. 

Such fair moms once smiled on Eden's bloom. The 
moon's pale crescent lifts its beamy horns. On the golden 
wave the sunset bums afar. Thou scorn's* the inglorious 
sacrifice. Thou wam's* me to the lonely shrine. 

Exercisb 145. rp, rps, rpt. 

Harp, warp, sharp, carp, usurp, harps, warp'dT. 

In Judah's hall the harp is hushed. Time is the warp 
of life ; O weave it well. Ruffian pride usurps the throne 
of justice. To their harps divine, they sing the vesper hymn 
of praise. Trade hath usurp'c? the land, and dispossessed 
the swain. 

Exercise 146. rs, rsh. 

Purse, scarce, horse, curse, fierce, nurse, harsA. 

Scarce could they see or hear their foes. Fierce to the 
breach his comrades sprung. His ho? - se was not a whit in- 
clined to tarry there. I come to pluck your berries harsh 
and crude. 

Exercise 147, rsl, rsts. 

First, worst, hurst, nurs'd, curs'd, pierc'd, bursas. 

There came a burs* of thunder sound. Blasphemer ! 
dar's* thou murmur even now ? Proud Nimrod firs* the 
bloody chase began. Accursed be the fagots that blaze at 
his feet. A flood of glory burs*s from all the skies. 

Exercise 148. r*. 

Ar*, por*, dir*, car*, hear*, par*, flir*, star*, impar*. 

How vast is ar*, how narrow human wit. Few and 
shor* were the prayers they said. They hear not, or re- 
ceive not our repor*. The hear* may give a useful lesson 
to the head. Act well your par*, there all the honor lies. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 45 

Exercise 149. rts, rtst. 

Arts, ports, carts, hearts y flirts, courts, start's*, huri'st. 

Things are not always done by starts. When Athens' 
children are with arts endued. The bounding fawn now 
darts along the glade. The sports of children satisfy the 
child. With these thou flirt 's£, for those thou hast a smile. 

Exercise 150. rth, rths. 

EartA, worth, north, mirth, forth, hearth, hearths. 

Pay no moment, but in purchase of its worth. For them 
no more the blazing heartA shall burn. From this day forth 
I'll use you for my mirth. They have given the lovely to 
earth's embrace. Our hearths shall be kindled in gladness. 

Exercise 151. rtsh, rtsht. 

March, larch, starch, porch, arch'd, searched, parch' d. 

We may resume the march of our existence. The 
larcA has hung all its tassels forth. In searcA of happiness, 
her own sweet paths we flee. Pygmies are pygmies still, 
though perched on Alps. In the proudly arched chapel 
the banners are hung. 

Exercise 152. rv, rvd t rvdst. 

Nerve, swerve, cu?*ve, serve, curv'd, starv'd, preserv'dst. 

I found Herculean nerve hid in thy tuneful arm. Swerve 
not from duty's path, however rough. Life is thus pre- 
served, and peace again restored. Then, while the subject 
starved, the beast was fed. The pilgrim fathers thou pre- 
serv'dst from winter's cold and storms. 

Exercise L53. rvz, rvst. 

Nerves, curves, swerves, nerv'st, curv'st, preserv'st. 

No monumental stone preserves his name. It serves his 
purpose, thus to bend the knee. Then the firmest nerves 
shall tremble. The highest meed of praise he well deserves. 
I thank thee for the word, thou nerv'stf my arm. 
4 



46 



COMBINATIONS 



Exercise 154. rz. 

Ba?-s, wars, stars, spars, \vea?*s, tears, pears, snuffers. 

The wide earth bears no nobler heart than thine. Like 
broken waves their squares retire. We leap at stars, and 
fasten in the mud. There's not a breath of wind upon the 
hill. In glory's fires shalt thou dry thy tears. 

Exercise 155. sf, slit. 

Sphere, lash'd, dasAV, flusA'd, wish'd, hush'd. 

The freed soul soars beyond this little sphere. Earth 
shook, and meteors flasAe d along the sky. Your house is 
finisAerf, sir, at last. Even though vanquished, he could 
argue still. Loud surges lasAed the sounding shore. 

Exercise 156. slir. 

Shnll, sArine, sArank, sAriek, sAroud, sArub, sArive. 

He came to sArive the dying, bless the dead. The bat, 
sArill sArieking,- wooed his flickering mate. Soft through 
the sArouds aerial whispers breathe. To leafless sArubs 
the flowery palms succeed. And freedom sArieked as 
Kosciusko fell. 

Exercise 157. sic, slcr. 

Skill, skip, task, scan, scAeme, casque, screen, scribe. 

But here the needle plies its busy task. His casque is 
circled by an ivy wreath. It is a land unscathed by scorch- 
ing tear. The sea-bird's wild scream is heard afar. Across 
the wiry edge he drew the screaking file. 

Exercise 158. slcs, slcst, slct. 

Desks, tasks, mosques, ask'st, bask'st, asAW, risked. 

Well pleased to find it such, he asZfs no more. His 
passive limbs are to measured tasAs confined. Ask'st thou 
to whom belongs this valley fair? He risked his own, 
another's life to save. The black scorpion basked in pal- 
ace courts. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 47 

Exercise 159. si. 

Slime, sZave, slow, sleep, whistle, apos^Ze, sZope, sZeet. 

Slow tolls the village clock the drowsy hour. The 

zephyrs breathe calmly, and soft is its sZeep. Even from 

out thy sZime the monsters of the deep are made. The 
thorn and the thisrfZe grew broader and higher. 

Exercise 160. sld, slz, sht. 
WhistPd, nestles, apostles, muscles, rustl'st, nestrst. 

Over the moors the loud blast whistled shrill. The 
grass rushes drearily over his urn. Like bris^Zes over him, 
his coarse fur he rears. Brave forest-oak, thou wrestFst 
singly with the gale. 

Exercise 161. sm. 

Sm\\e, smite, smoke, smooth, smash, smuggle. 

A fresher green the smiling leaves display. He woke 
to die midst flame and smoke. The smooth stream in 
smoother numbers flows. *Small is the subject, but not so 
the praise. Hope comes with smiles the hour of pain to 
cheer. 

Exercise 162. sn, snd y snz, snst. 

Snow, sneer, pers'n, lessVJ, pers'ns, Yisfns, lessVs*. 

How the sweet moonlight sleeps upon this snow. Nor 
lessen of his life the little span. He always read it with a 
sneering tone. He Wsten'd to the music of the rolling 
spheres. How the eye of beauty glistens, when music 
awakes her inmost soul. Onward thou h&sten'st with fawn- 
like tread. 

Exercise 163. sp, spl. 

*$pan, speed, spar, wasj?, lisp, grasp, spleen, spZendid. 

No children run to lisp their sire's return. The stubble 
land was crisp with frost. *Sport leaped up and seized his 
beechen spear. They wrapped the ship in sjplen dor. wild. 



48 COMBINATIONS 

Exercise 164. spr. 

Spray, spring, sprain, sprig, spread, sprout, sprightly. 

And soon from guest to guest the panic spread. Flush 
in iSpring's footsteps, sprang herbage and flowers. Modest 
plainness sets off sprightly wit. Like some tall palm the 
beauteous fabric sprang. 

Exercise 165. sps, spt. 

Grasps, lisps, wasps, clasps, grasp'd, clasp'd, lisp'd. 

How pure the prayer that childhood lisps. One only 
master grasps- the whole domain. The youthful ivy clasps 
an elm around. Pope lisped in numbers, for the numbers 
came. He grasped his blade, as if a trumpet rang. 

Exercise 166. st. 

Stand, stop, stove, star, hast, bes*, rest, notic'd, entic'd. 

The stormy March has come at las*. >SVand ! the 
ground's your own, my braves ! Stubborn pride has rob- 
bed me of my rest. Hast thou a charm, to stay the morn- 
ing star ? No one noticed him, no one gave him a welcome. 

Exercise 167. sir. 

Stroll, stream, strive, strong, strown, strains, minstrel. 

They have strown the dust on the sunny brow. Thou 
art with nature and thyself at strife. Now set the teeth, 
and stretch the nostril wide. Nor friend, nor stranger hears 
their dying cry. There to high s/rains the minstrel harp I 
tuned. 

% Exercise 168. sts, stst. 

Mis^s, tastes, crests, coasts, vesfst, tasfst, enlists*!. 

The sounding darts in iron tempests flew. Crests rose 
and stooped, and rose again. All things seem large, which 
we through mists descry. Some, sunk to beasts, find 
pleasure end in pain. Now, with what awe thou list's* the 
wild uproar. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 49 

Exercise 169. (38) thn, thnd, thndst, thnz, ths. tht. 

hength'n, strength'n'd, length' 'ri 'dst , suength'ns, youths, 
betroth' d. 

Who would lengthen out the span of human life ? These 
silver locks proclaim my lengthen 1 d years. He strengthens 
the perilous hour with prayer. Palsied now is the arm thou 
strengthen' dsi. Faith's raised eye is always fixed on 
heaven. These truths premised were needful as a text. 
She was early betrothed to a Highland chief. 

Exercise 170. thr. 

Throb, throne, thrive, thrill, three, thread, through. 

Thrice is he armed, that hath his quarrel just. Soft as 
the thrill that memory throws across the soul. His voice 
was like the voice of three. They thronged around her 
magic cell. Here are souls that thraldom never stained. 

Exercise 171. (39) thd. 

Breath' d, sooth'd, writh'd, bath'd, smoothed, bequeath'd. 

He was sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust. 
But nature breathed rebuke and dread. His manly lip was 
wreathed with smiles. They sheathed their swords for 
lack of. argument. 

Exercise 172. (39) thz, thst. 

Bathes, tithes, naths, baths, oaths, smooth'st, writh'st. 

A soothing influence brea^Aes around the place. Some 

fond legend soothes his infant hours. The naths of glory 

lead but to the grave. O guilt ! thou bath'st the world in 

tears. 

Exercise ] 73. tl, tld, tldst. 
Title, cattle, turtle, gentle, startle, rattl'd, tul'd, rattVdst. 
Round me the smoke and shout of battle roll. The reef- 
points rattle on the shivering sail. He prattled less, in 
accents void of guile. With bursts of jocund din, thou 
startl' dst the slumbering tenants of these shades^ 
4* 



50 COMBINATIONS 

Exercise 174. th, tlst. 

Titles, turtles, mantles, rattles, battles, startPst, rattVst. 

I saw him on the battle's eve, when like a king he bore 
him. Guineas he hoped to coin from pans and kettles. 
How the blood warms and mantles round the heart. The 
wild deer thou start's* in the forest shade. 

Exercise 175. tn, tnd, tnz. 

Kitt'n, mitfn, mutfn, butfn, wntt'n, smitf'n, sweet'rCd, 
whitens. 

In dreams I revisit the surf-beaferc shore. How blessings 
bright as they take their flight. Hope can relieve the 
gloom, and sweeten all my toil. The cold feathered snow 
now whiten'd the ground. Thy mercy sweetens the cup 
of wo. 

Exercise 176. tr. 

Tribe, trap, tread, trim, trade, trout, troop, traitor, 
tremble. 

Time's giddy arch with trembling foot we tread. What 
mighty contests rise from trivial things. Their tread alone, 
at times one warning trumpet blown. True as the steel of 
their fried blades. 

Exerctse 177. tsh. 

Charm, chime, choose, rich, touch, catch, watch. 

I with them, the third night, kept the watch. Hope, 
the cAarmer, lingered still behind. Youth is not rich in 
time ; it may be poor. Such serene repose seemed heaven 
itself. 

Exercise 178. tsht, tshtst. 

Touch'd, watch'd, reached, snatch'd, touch'dst. 

Hence have 1 watched while others slept. Eager I 
snatched him from his swinging bed. Apollo rapt us when 
you touched the lyre. O thou, who touch'dst Isaiah's 
hallowed lips with fire. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 51 

Exercise 179. ts, tst. 

Bate, soots, roots, slates, hats, notes, sitfst, shouts*. 

More mighty spotfs may rise, more glaring shine. Ten 
censure wrong, for one who writes amiss. The flute's soft 
notes fall gently on the ear. One blow, and thou mightst 
have been free. Spirit of freedom ! when on Phyle's 
brow thou sa^'stf. 

Exercise 180. vd, vdst. 

Liv'c?, prov'rf, brav'd, belov'rf, sav'd, pav'rf, mov'e?, 
lov'dst, sav'dst. 

Hope, enchanted, smiled, and waved her golden hair. 
He chid their wanderings, but relieved their pain. Thus 
let me rest unmoued by war's alarms. In tones as sweet as 
if a sister's voice reproved. Thou depriv'rfsi me of all I 
then possessed. 

Exercise 181. vl, vld, vlst,vh. 

Ev'Z, shov'l, r&v'lPd, shm'Wd, shovHst, dr'w'lst, ev'Zs, 
shov'ls. 

Their hopes still grove/ in this dark sojourn. He smoke- 
dried and seared and shnv elVd up his heart. The clods of 
earth shall soon be shovelFdon him. Thou xmravelFst the 
very threads of being. All evils here contaminate his mind. 
So shrivels the leaf in the autumn blast. 

Exercise 1S2. vn, vnz t vnth. 

Sev'n, heav'n, driv'n, elev'n, crav'n, heaves, ravens, 
eleventh. 

Thy chains are burst, thy bonds are riyen. Even half a 
million gets him no other praise. To him let thy heart 
and hours be given. Rob not the raven of his ancient nest. 
Heaven's sapphire arch is its resplendent dome. 

Exercise 183. vz, vst. 

Waves, braves, wives, groves, leaves, loves, proves, 
mov'stf, rav'stf. 



52 COMBINATIONS 

The waves roll gently on beneath thy bark of hope. 
The groves were God's first temples. In the cottage, and 
the peasant's heart his memory lives. The fanning west 
wind scarcely stirs the leaves. Weigh well thy words 
before thou glv'st them breath. 

Exercise 184. zd. 

Gaz'd, rais'cZ, blaz'cZ, us'd, priz'd, expos' d, seiz'd, 
clos'd. 

Sudden he gaze*?, but wist not what to do. Thus dis- 
guised, I traverse my native hills. Then Mercury amused 
with magic wand. No cheerful light the long-closed sash 
conveyed. Here buds and leaves are gracefully disposed. 

Exercise 185. zl, zld, zldst, zlst, zlz. 

Puzzle, haz'Z, mis^Zetoe, dazzZ'd, puzzZ'o 7 , dazzVdst, 
puzzZ's^, puzzles. 

PuzzZing long, at last they puzzle it out. Upon yon 
tuft of hazel trees, behold him perched. Oh ! the mistfZe- 
toe bough, that hangs in the hall. My eyes are dazzled 
with the rustling flame. Thou puzzVdst the brain of the 
ancient sage. Thou dazzZ's^ the eye with thy flaming rays. 
Sage as the lawyer, who puzzZes over a doubt. 

Exercise 186. zm, zmz, zn. 

Spasm, prism, chasms, froz'n, prison, crimson, venison, 
blazon. 

Through the fearful chasm, the deep sky shone. The 
billows sink to chasms low. He sinks exhausted on the 
frozen ground. In brazen bonds shall barbarous discord 
dwell. The ice cannot imprison thy proud tide. It is 
darkly painted on the crimson sky. 

Exercise 187. znd, znz, znst. 
Blaz'n'd, crims'n'J, seas'ns, blaz'ns, reas'n's^, blaz'n's*. 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 53 

Anon in view the portal's blazoned arch arose. Arabia's 
crimsoned sands returned the fiery column's glow. Thou 
hast all seasons for thine own, O Death ! Ah, hapless 
race ! ye labor hard to smother reason's ray. How well 
thou reason's^, time alone can show. 



COMBINATIONS OF CONSONANTS, ARRANGED BY THE 
FINAL SOUND. 

The following exercises are intended for daily review, after the pupils 
have practised sufficiently on the preceding : the class can utter 
them simultaneously. Utter the word first; next, the combina- 
tion; then, the word again. 

Exercise 188. 

Lb, bulb. — rb, garb. — bd, pro&ed. — rbd, absorbed. 
— gd, begged. — ngd, belonged. — dzhd, imaged. — ldzhd, 
bi/ged. — ndzhd, ranged. — rdzhd, urged. — Id, gold. — bid, 
trembled. — did, paddled. — gld, mingled. — kid, tw'mJcled. 
— pld, d'impled. — rid, world. — sld, whistled. — tld, rattled. 
— vld, shriveird. — zld, puzzled. — md, named. — lmd, over- 
whelmed. — rmd, formed. 

Exercise 189. 

Nd, land. — dnd, hardened. — fnd, deafened. — knd, wa- 
kened. — pnd, sharpened. — rnd, warned. — snd, lessened. — 
tnd, whitened. — thnd, lengthened. — znd, blazoned. — rd, 
guard. — vd, proved. — Ivd, resolved. — rvd, starved. — zd, 
gazed.— 39 thd, breamed. — If, shelf. — mf, triumph. — rf, 
turf. — sf, sphere. — rg, iceberg-. — nsh, bencA. — rsh, marsA. 
— tsh, cAarm. — rtsh, marcA. 

Exercise 190. 

Dth, width.— fth, fi/ta.— lfth, twelfth.— ith, wealth.— 
rmth, warmth. — ngth, \ength. — nth, tenth. — pth, depth. — 



54 COMBINATIONS 

rth, north. — ksth, sixth.— Idzh, induZ^e.— ndzh, range.— 
rdzh, ba/g-e.—lk, siZ/c. — ngk, thank.— rk, marfc.— sk, 
ta«& — bl, Wind.— dl, crarf/c— fl, ^oor.— gl, g-fove.— kl, 
twinkle.— pi, pZan.— spl, spZendid.— rl, furZ.— si, sZeep. 
tl, genrfe.— vl, shovel.— zl, daz^Ze.— 1m, reaZm. — rm, 
warm. 

Exercise 191. 

Sm, smile. — thm, rythm.—zm, prism. — dn, lacZerc. — 
fn, deafen.— 38 thn, lengMcw.— 39 thn, heaven.— kn, to- 
ken. — In, stoZera. — pn, sharpen. — rn, morn. — sn, \esse?i. 
tn, written. — vn, seven. — zn, frozen. — lp, heZp. — mp, 
pomp.— rp, harp.— sp, span.— br, brave.— dr, dream.— 
fr, frown.— gr, green.— shr, sArine.— kr, crime.— skr, 
screen.— pr, pride.— spr, sprain.— tr, trihe.—str, strive. 
— thr, zArone. 

Exercise 192. 
Fs, puffs.— Ifs, gulfs.— mfs, triumphs.— rfs, dwar/s.— 
38 ths,tru*As.— dths, breads.— lths, healths.— nths, mo?i*As. 
ngths, lengths.— pths, depths.— rths, hearts.— ks, oaib.— 
Iks, silks.— ngks, thatt&s. — rks, mar&s. — sks, desfrs.— Is, 
puZse. — ns, dercse. — ps, lips.— Ips, wheZj?s. — mps, lamps. — 
rps, harps. — sps, lisps. — rs, horse.— ts, bootfs.— fts, tufts. — 
kts, facte.— Its, meZfc. — mts, prompts. 

Exercise 193. 

Nts, events. — ngkts, precincts] — pts, precepts.— rts, 
darte.— sts, mists.— rsts, thirsts.— ft, soft.— lft, ingulfed.— 
mft, triumphed,— sht, hushed.— nsht, launcAed.— tsht, 
touched.— rtsht, marched.— kt, fac*.— lkt, milked.— ngkt, 
thawfrec?.— rkt, marked.— skt, bas&ed.— It, saZ/.— mt, 
prompt— nt, wawf.— mt, burn*.— pt, kep*.— lpt, heZ^ecZ.— 
rpt, warped. — spt, lisped. 

Exercise 194. 
Rt, par*.— st, steel.— bst, prob'st.— rbst, curb's*.— dst, 



OF THE CONSONANTS. 55 

d\dst. — bdst, nrob'dst. — gdst. begg'dst. — ldst, gdd'st. — 
bldst, trembl'dst.— didst, bndl'dst. — fldst, tvifl'dst.— gldst, 
mingl'dst. — kldst, twrnkl'dst. — pldst, trampVdst. — rldst, 
curVdst. — sldst, rusil'dst. — tldst, startl'dst. — zldst, daz- 
zVdst. — vldst, shovell'dst. — mdst, seem'dst. — rmdst, 
warm'dst. 

Exercise 195. 

Ndst, send'st. — fndst, deafen' dst. — kndst, beaxken' dst. — 
ngdst, wrongest. — thndst, strengthen' dst. — rndst, turn'dst. 
sndst, Yisten'dst. — zndst, reason'dst. — vdst, lov'dst. — rvdst, 
serv dst. — rdst, reward'^.— fst, scoff 'st. — lfst. ingulf 'st. — 
mfst, tviumph'st. — gst, begg'st. — ngst. brmg'st. — ndzhst, 
rang'st. — ldzhst, ludulg'st. — rdzhst. urg'st. — kst, awak'st. 
— lkst, milk'st. 

Exercise 196. 

Ngkst, tbank'st. — rkst, mark'st. — skst, bask'st. — thst, 
smoofA's* — ]st,whi/s£. — blst. humbl'st. — dlst, fondl'st. — flst, 
ruff's*. — gist, xrimgVst. — klst, soarkl'st. — plst, XxampVst. — 
rlst, iurl'st. — slst, mstVst. — tlst, start's*. — vlst, shovell'st. — 
zlst, dazzl'st. — mst, seem'st. — lmst, wbelm'st. — rmst, 
warm'st. — nst, cans*. — knst, waken'st. 



Exercise 197. 

Pnst, sharpen'st. — mst, return's*. — snst, listen'st. — thnst. 
— lengthen'' st — znst, reason' st. — pst, hop's* — lpst, help'st — 
mpst, thump's*. — rpst, warp'st. — spst, limp's*. — rst, worst — 
tst, shouts?. — ftst, lift'st. — tshtst, touch'dst. — ktst, enacts*. 
— lktst, milk 1 dst. — rktst, \urkdst. — ltst, melt'st.— mtst, 
prompts*. — ntst, want'st. 

Exercise 198. 

Ptst, accept' st. — lptst, help' dst. — rtst, flirt' st . — stst, en- 
Yist'st. — rstst, bursfst. — vst, lov'st. — lvst, resolv'st. — rvst, 
present. — 38 tht, betro*A'c£. — lv, twelve. — rv. nerve. — bz. 



56 



COMBINATIONS. 



so5s.— lbz, bulbs.— rbz, orbs.— dz, deeds.— ldz, fieZrfs.— 
rldz, worlds.— ndz, ends.— vdz, wards.— gz, bag*.— rffz 
icebergs.— lz, saiZs.— biz, trouoZes.— dlz, padres.— flz' 
ruffes.— glz, eagZes. 

Exercise 199. 
Klz, spar&Zes.— plz, tempZes.— rlz, curZs.-slz, muscZes. 
— tlz, titles.— viz } evils.— zlz, puzzZes.— mz, times.— lmz, 
overvvheZms.— rmz, storms— thmz, logariMww— zmz, prims. 
— nz, dews.— ngz, ring-s. — dnz, wardens. 

Exercise 200. 
Fnz, deafens.— knz, to7<;ens.— pnz, sharpens.— rnz. 
moms.— snz, lessons.— thnz, strengthens.— tnz, mittens, 
— vnz, heavens.— znz, reasons.— rz, wars.— vz, gives.— 
lvz, sheZves.— rvz, curves.— 39 thz, brea^es. 



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